Solar vortex electric power generator

ABSTRACT

The SOLAR VORTEX ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR utilizes hot, unstable air on a flat surface when drawn under the collector surface to rise in a central tower where it acts as a controlled tornado turning blades and a shaft to power a generator. This provides power during peak summer demand for air conditioners and a water pump can also be driven directly by the sea to power a reverse osmossis plant. One square mile of collector area at 25% effeciency on a hot summer day can provide 640 megawatts at the generator. This is very cheap to make as surplus, rusty corrigated sheet steel can be used as the collector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] I remember reading years ago of how hot unstable air forms on a flat desert floor and of how dust devils once started by a jack rabbit etc. then started moving across the desert but they didn't get very big as hot air could only be effectively drawn from a small area. This invention simply draws hot air through slots or perferations in a flat metal surface and channels it underneath to a central tower where it turns blades as it rises and thus powers a generator. Also air moving towards a central position in the northern hemisphere rotates couterclockwise effecting a controled tornado.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As one killowat of solar energy falls on each square meter of earth in the summer one square mile of thin sheet steel in the desert with only 25% efficiency should provide 640 megawatts of electricity with zero pollution and real cheap construction costs. This power is available during peak summer demand for air conditioning! Consider the possibilities as this could power reverse osmossis by the sea turning desert into prime farm land.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0003] VIEW 1: OVERVIEW CROSS SECTION

[0004] VIEW 2: CENTRAL TOWER CROSS SECTION

[0005] VIEW 3: HOT AIR COLLECTOR CROSS SECTION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The SOLAR VORTEX ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR utilizes hot air which forms on a flat, absorbing surface in strong sunlight when drawn through slots or perforations in the collection surface and then drawn to a central tower rising and turning blades to power a generator or directly to drive pumps for reverse osmossis etc. The addition of a transparent, perforated surface about one foot over the collector surface would negate the detremental affects of winds and if infrared reflective would increase efficiency.

[0007] As the heated air is drawn towards the central tower it aquires a strong counterclockwise movement which will require lower blades to be oriented perpendicular to the ground while blades higher in the tower will be oriented to strike the rising air.

[0008] Control vanes which can control air flow to the central tower are necessary to limit rpm's and to provide emergency shutdown. This is essentially a controlled tornado.

[0009] Generators or pumps would be located under the cenral tower with gearing to up rpm's.

[0010] Imagine cheap, polution free generating capacity on desert wasteland providing power at peak demand or providing pure water. 

1. I claim this invention will allow utilization of hot, unstable air on a relatively flat surface heated by the sun (in this illustration thin steel plates with slots or perforations) which is drawn and channeled under the flat surface to a high tower where the hot air rises creating a controlled tonado which turns blades to turn a generator. Vanes controlled by hydralics would limit air flow to control rpm's and to provide shutdown if necessary. Also a water pump could be driven directly to power a reverse osmossis plant for a desert city. 